18
Figure 2.1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
2.1.4.1 Physiological needs
Physiological needs are the basic, lowest and the strongest one in the hierarchy of needs. The needs are biological needs that cover the needs for food,
drink, oxygen, activity and sleep, sex, protection from extreme temperatures, and sensory stimulation. These needs must be fulfilled at some minimal level by each
human in his life. If these needs are not satisfying yet, the person will be not motivated by other higher needs. Hjelle and Ziegler in Personality Theories explain:
For our chronically and extremely hungry man, Utopia can be defined simply as a place where there is plenty of food. He tends to think that, if only he is
guaranteed food for the rest of his life, he will be perfectly happy and will never want anything more. Life itself tends to be defined as unimportant.
Freedom, love, community feeling, respect, philosophy, may all be waved aside as fripperies that are useless, since they fail to fill the stomach. Such a
man may fairly be said to live by bread alone p. 372.
Physiological Needs Safety Needs
Social Needs Esteem Needs
Self-Actualization
19 Hence, it is obvious that the physiological needs control human’s thought and
behaviors to gain satisfaction of these needs. Unless these basic needs are completely fulfilled, human will not pursue other higher level needs.
2.1.4.2 Safety needs
After the physiological needs are fulfilled, human will start to pursue another need that is Safety or Security needs. The needs consist of the needs of certainty,
order, structure and predictability in one’s environment, and safety from war, crime, natural disasters, riots, and societal disorganizations.
As it is stated by Hjelle and Ziegler 1981, Maslow believes that the safety needs are readily observed to infants and young children because of their helplessness
and dependency on adults. Infants will be frightened when they are suddenly dropped or startled by loud noises and flashing lights. Since they realize that they are
powerless in such situations. These dangers can be neutralized when one has experience, knowledge, and education about them. When one knows some
information about certain dangers, it makes him feel that he will find some ways to handle them. As a result, he will not feel completely powerless para.370.
Kategori